John Simm's Honest Playlist: From Early Loves to Peculiar Aversions
The initial song I fell in love with
My first recollection is stepping into a space at nursery school where they were spinning Yellow Submarine by the Beatles. I was enthralled by the audio textures, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the chorus, I remember thinking: “This must be music!”
The first single I bought
When I was eight years old, I was victorious in a contest at school to select a new record to play at the small dance we had on Friday afternoons. My teacher took me to Woolworths, and I chose Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I purchased with my own pocket money was Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney's Wings from a music store in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father pointed out that it was by a former member of the Beatles.
The tune I perform at sing-along
I frankly actively avoid public singing and steer clear at all costs. But if I had to, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The track I oddly know each line to
I recently became aware that I have memorized virtually the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by Paul Simon.
The perfect song to play at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would probably be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by the virtual band, which is an absolute banger.
The song I can never hear
I for some reason loathe Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The ultimate piece to have sex to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to learn the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock and roll, and was obsessed with Elvis, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and Eddie Cochran. Then my childminder brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. The moment he dropped the record on the turntable, I was captivated.
The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say in its full glory by The Genius.
The track that brings me to tears
Most music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all stir my emotions because of the melody and pure perfection of the vocals. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley hits me hard without fail.
The track I’d like performed at my final send-off
The King. If I’m given a cremation, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.
